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Moon Compilation
From Esoteric Astrology, by Alice A. Bailey

See Michael Robbins' Tapestry of the Gods, Volume III

Constellations and Planetary Rulers In Connection With Ordinary Man

Constellation                       Ruler                      Ray                         Related to
4. Cancer                                Moon                     4th ray                    none.
 
Constellations and Planetary Rulers in Connection With Disciples and Initiates
Constellation                       Ruler                      Ray                         Related to
6. Virgo                                  The Moon             4th ray                    Aries                      "        "
(EA 66)
 
Planetary Rulers in three Tabulations
Constellation                       Orthodox               Disciple                 Hierarchies
4. Cancer                                The Moon              Neptune                 Neptune.
6. Virgo                                  Mercury                 The Moon              Jupiter.
11. Aquarius                         Uranus                   Jupiter                    The Moon.
 
Constellations, Rulers and Rays in Connection With the Hierarchies
Constellation                       Ruler                      Ray                         Related to
11. Aquarius                         The Moon             4th ray                    Scorpio                   "       "
(EA 68)
 
Rays, Constellations and planets, orthodox and esoteric
        Ray                                 Constellations                                     Planets                  Planets                                                                                                                                                                  (Orthodox)           (Esoteric)
                                                Gemini, the Twins                                Mercury                 Venus.
  II. Love-Wisdom                Virgo, the Virgin                                   Mercury                 Moon (veiling a planet).
                                                Pisces, the Fishes                                                Jupiter                    Pluto.
 
                                                Cancer, the Crab                                   Moon                     Neptune.
 III. Active-Intelligence       Libra, the Scales                                   Venus                     Uranus.
                                                Capricorn, the Goat                              Saturn                    Saturn.
 
                                                Virgo, the Virgin                                   Mercury                 Moon.
 VI. Idealism. Devotion        Sagittarius, the Archer                        Jupiter                    Earth.
                                                Pisces, the Fishes                                                Jupiter                    Pluto.
 
                                                Aries, the Ram                                      Mars                       Mercury.
VII. Ceremonial Order          Cancer, the Crab                                   Moon                     Neptune.
                                                Capricorn, the Goat                              Saturn                    Saturn.
(EA 86)
 
The Rays, Constellations and planets
        Ray                 Constellations                     Planets                 
                                                                                Orthodox               Esoteric
                                                |Gemini                                   Mercury                 Venus
II. Love-Wisdom                  |Virgo                                      Mercury                 The Moon
                                                |Pisces                                    Jupiter                    Pluto
 
                                                |Cancer                                   The Moon             Neptune
III. Active Intelligence        |Libra                                      Venus                     Uranus
                                                |Capricorn                              Saturn                    Saturn
 
                                                |Virgo                                      Mercury                 The Moon
VI. Idealism. Devotion         |Sagittarius                            Jupiter                    The Earth
                                                |Pisces                                    Jupiter                    Pluto
 
                                                |Aries                                      Mars                       Mercury
VII. Ceremonial Order          |Cancer                                   The Moon             Neptune
                                                |Capricorn                              Saturn                    Saturn
(EA 423)
 
Enumeration of sacred and non-sacred planets
The non-sacred planets are only five:
4. The Moon, veiling a hidden planet.
 (EA 506-507).
 
Rays transmitted by planets
Sacred Planets                                                     Non-Sacred Planets
1. Vulcan                                1st ray                    1. Mars                                   6th ray
2. Mercury                             4th ray                    2. The Earth                           3rd ray
3. Venus                                 5th ray                    3. Pluto                                   1st ray
4. Jupiter                                2nd ray                   4. The Moon                         4th ray
5. Saturn                                                3rd ray                       (veiling a hidden planet)
6. Neptune
                             6th ray                    5. The Sun                             2nd ray
7. Uranus                               7th ray
(EA 513).
 
Seven and five psychological Lives are manifesting through seven and five planets
Seven great psychological Lives, qualified by seven types of life force, are manifesting through the medium of seven planets. Five other Lives express themselves through five planets, of which two remain to he discovered.
         1. The Sun (Substituted for Vulcan)
         2. Jupiter
         3. Saturn
 
I.      4. Mercury
         5. Venus
         6. Mars
         7. The Moon (Substituted for Uranus)
         8. Pluto
 
II.    9. Neptune
        10. The Earth
        11. Undiscovered
 
III.   12. Undiscovered
 
The influence of the Moon; planets it is veiling in average man and advanced man
Another point which should here be noted is that the influence of themoon is purely symbolic in nature and in effect and is simply the result of ancient thought and teaching (descended to us from Lemurian times) and is not based upon any true radiation or influence. In those far off times, antedating even Lemuria and constituting in Lemurian days simply an ancient tradition, the moon appeared to be a living vital entity. But I would have you bear definitely in mind that today the moon is nothing more than a dead form. It has no emanation and no radiation of any kind and, therefore, has no effect of any kind. The moon, from the angle of the esoteric knower, is simply an obstruction in space—an undesirable form which must some day disappear. In esoteric astrology, the effect of the moon is noted as a thought effect and as the result of a powerful and most ancient thoughtform; nevertheless, the moon has no quality of her own and can transmit nothing to the Earth. Let me reiterate: The moon is a dead form; it has no emanation at all. That is why the moon is spoken of in the ancient teaching as "veiling either Vulcan or Uranus." This hint or inference has always been here and astrologers would do well to experiment with this suggestion I have made anent the moon and (instead of working with the moon) let them work with Vulcan when dealing with the undeveloped or average man and with Uranus when considering the highly developed man. They would find some interesting and convincing results eventuate (EA 13).
 
The moon indicates that which is the past (coming from certain planets)
In connection with the sun sign, the rising sign and the effect of the thoughtform relating to the moon, the position of esoteric astrology is as follows:
The moon.—This type of force (coming from certain planets and not from the moon) indicates that which is past. It, therefore, summarises limitation and the present handicaps. It governs the physical body and shows where the prison of the soul is to be found (EA 18-19).
 
Non-sacred planets
The Sun (veiling a planet)
The Moon (veiling a planet)
The Earth itself
Mars
Pluto
(EA 53).
 
Aries and Virgo are related through Mercury and the Moon
Aries and Virgo, through Mercury and the Moon, are related to Ray 4. Harmonising the cosmos and the individual through conflict, producing unity and beauty. The birth pangs of the second birth.
 
Conflict of Mars and Moon at the 3rd initiation
At the third initiation, the Moon (veiling a hidden planet) and Mars bring about a fearful conflict, [Page 71] but at the end the man is released from personality control (EA 70-71).
 
Earth and Moon are connected to 2 centers of little importance in highly evolved man
Two of the non-sacred planets (the Earth itself and the Moon) are connected with two centres which in the highly evolved man are not of dominating importance:
        a. The spleen receiving pranic emanations from the planet on which we live and concerned with the etheric and physical bodies and their physical relation.
        b. A centre in the chest related to the thymus gland. This centre becomes inactive in the advanced man but has a connection with the vagus nerve, prior to the awakening of the heart centre (EA 78).
 
Flow chart Pisces-Uranus (the Moon)-centers
Consider the energies of the three major constellations as they each pour through three of the zodiacal constellations, thus forming great interlocking triangles of [Page 80] force. Thus nine of the zodiacal constellations are involved, and these in their turn fuse and blend their energies into three major streams of force upon the Path of Initiation. These three streams of force pour through:
a. Leo, Capricorn and Pisces.
        |
b. Saturn, Mercury and Uranus (the Moon).
        |
c. The head, ajna and heart centres.
        |
d. The throat, the solar plexus and the base of the spine.
 
It should be remembered that the sacral centre and the spleen are primarily connected with the planetary emanation of the Earth itself (EA 79-80).
 
When ruler of a sign is the Sun or the Moon, DK speaks of Uranus and Vulcan
I would remind you here that frequently when the ruler of a sign is given as the Sun or the Moon I shall speak of one of the hidden planets, Uranus or Vulcan. These are interchangeable in their use and it is difficult to tell to which the esoteric planet refers unless you have been told. Hence my above reference to Uranus (EA 99).
 
Orthodox and esoteric planets of the Mutable cross
Orthodox—Jupiter and Mercury.
Esoteric—Pluto. The Earth. The Moon (hiding Vulcan) and Venus.
As you know, Pluto stands for death or the region of death; the Earth stands for the sphere of experience; the Moon or Vulcan stands for the glorification, through purification and detachment, of matter, and Venus stands for the emergence of the love principle through the directing power of the mind (EA 126-127).
 
Bondage through the Moon and uplift of matter in Vulcan
Through the Moon—under the bondage of form in order through form experience to achieve release and the "uplift of matter" in Vulcan (EA 127).
 
Discussion on the rulers of the decanates of Pisces
The same symbolic mode of interpretation must govern also our understanding of the three decanates. Both Leo and Sepharial give a list of the decanates and between them there is much resemblance but there is, however, an important difference. Leo approaches the closer to the esoteric interpretation of astrology whilst Sepharial is purely exoteric. According to Sepharial, the three decanates are governed by Saturn—Jupiter—Mars, presenting opportunity to work off karma and to be successful in so doing and indicating the method employed, that of conflict and of war. Leo gives us Jupiter, the Moon and Mars. He indicates, therefore, the success which is incident to proved discipleship and consequent readiness for initiation, the seeing of the vision with which Jupiter rewards the disciple, and the experience which Vulcan confers. Vulcan has been hitherto hidden, but its influence has steadily superseded all lunar control, for the personality or form side of life is lost to sight in the radiance of the Sun, the soul. The light of Vulcan and the light of the Sun are one light and these three—Mercury, Vulcan and the Sun—stand for a synthesis and a radiance which eventually dims the light of Mercury and it "falls" into the background and Vulcan too becomes invisible and only the Sun remains. We have consequently a vision of the Sun, the experience of the personality and effort, which is the mode of attainment governed by Mars (EA 132-133).
 
Moon in Aquarius
Water being the symbol of substance and of material expression plus emotional motivation, Aquarius is consequently dual in its activity, and the third ray expresses itself powerfully through this sign, reaching our planet through Uranus and the Moon which hides or veils Uranus symbolically in this case. There is, therefore, to be found the double influence of Uranus, expressing the quality and bringing in the energies of the seventh ray, in one case, and the third ray in the other. The seventh ray is, in the last analysis, the focussed differentiated energy of Ray One as it expresses the will of the first aspect of divinity on earth through the power to relate and bring into objective manifestation—by an act of the will—both spirit and matter. This it brings about through the activity of Ray Three, expressing itself through humanity and its individual units, though combining with the energy of the three rays which are released through the ruling planets (EA 139).
 
Moon in Aquarius veiling Uranus; Jupiter
The Moon—Ray Four—The will to be and to know plus the fusion of heart and mind is the result of the work carried forward in the fourth Creative Hierarchy under the influence of that energy which produces harmony through conflict.
        I would here call your attention to the fact that in connection with the Moon, as it is related here to one of the Creative Hierarchies, you have in the Moon itself the exoteric influences of the ordinary mode of procedure upon the wheel of life, and in the planet which it veils and hides (in this case the planet Uranus) you have the esoteric energy which brings this Hierarchy to subjective realisation.
        Uranus gives innate spontaneous activity and this produces evolutionary development—both natural and spiritual. It is the urge to better conditions.
        Jupiter gives an inherent tendency to fusion which nothing can arrest. The achievement of ultimate synthesis is inevitable, and this Jupiter promotes.
        The Moon brings about the inclination to create these conditions which lead to the great and critical transformations of instinct into intellect. This the moon brings about, but Uranus causes the great transference in the human consciousness from intellectual perception to intuitive knowledge. Bear in mind that the esoteric forces combine with the forces of the exoteric or orthodox planets and that they do not negate their influence. They only supplement and dominate them (EA 139-140).
 
Decanates of Aquarius
The decanates in Aquarius are governed (according to Alan Leo) by Saturn, Mercury and Venus, and the effect that they will produce upon human affairs and world conditions is already beginning to appear. Saturn is the planet of discipleship and of opportunity; it is exceedingly active today, presenting to the world disciple those difficult situations and crises which will involve free choice, discriminative pioneering, wise response and correct decision, thus bringing about the destruction of that which hinders without the relinquishing of any true values of which humanity may be aware (EA 148)…
According to other astrologers, the three decanates are governed by Venus, Mercury and the Moon. You can here see the relation of astrology to the normal or to the reversed wheel of life. The Moon which here takes the place of Saturn hides the planet Uranus. In this case Uranus, the occult planet, stands for exoteric science which penetrates into the hidden side of form life, and thus we have the period wherein man is not alert enough or conscious enough to seize upon opportunity and turn it to esoteric or soul ends, but can identify himself with the more advanced aspects of form. The energy which produces opportunity, illumination, and brotherly love as expressed and attained upon the Fixed Cross, demonstrates upon the Mutable or Common Cross as difficulty, the versatile and volatile mind (unstable and dark) and as sex (EA 149).
 
Moon is in detriment in Capricorn
The symbolism underlying the astrological fact that Mars is exalted in Capricorn, whilst the power of the Moon is lessened in that sign, and Jupiter and Neptune both fall, is significantly beautiful and instructive. Mars is the God of War, the Producer of conflicts, and in this earthly sign Mars triumphs in the early stages of the evolution of the fourth Creative Hierarchy and in the life history of the undeveloped and average man. Materialism, the fight for the satisfaction of personal ambitions, and the conflict with higher spiritual tendencies goes steadily forward, and this most material of all the signs is the battleground of the old established order and habits and the new and higher inclinations and tendencies. India, governed by Capricorn, has been a battlefield right down the ages; Port Said, ruled by this sign, is synonymous with the satisfaction of all the earthly and animal desires of the baser sort and is one of the wickedest cities in the world—a meeting place for the evil of three continents.
        But as evolution proceeds, the power of the Moon, which is the symbol and ruler of form, grows less and less, and the man upon the reversed wheel is steadily freeing himself from the control of matter. The attractive lure of that [Page 171] which is material wanes increasingly. Jupiter, which has been the ruler of Pisces and also of Aquarius, falls in this sign (EA 170-171).
 
 
Esoteric planets ruling Sagittarius
The Esoteric Planets.—These bring in renewed or increased planetary energy and ray energy in a more dynamic manner. In the case of Sagittarius these energies are Venus, the Moon, the Earth and Pluto (EA 186).
 
Ray forces facing the man when he is at the end of his experience on the Mutable Cross
I can only point out that the following ray forces pour onto the man through the medium of the following planets:
                                | Mercury—4th Ray—Harmony through Conflict.
Exoteric                  |
                                | Jupiter—2nd Ray—Love-wisdom.
 
                                | Venus—5th Ray—Concrete Science. Mind.
                                |
                                | The Moon—4th Ray—Harmony through Conflict.
Esoteric                  |
                                | The Earth—3rd Ray—Active Intelligence.
                                |
                                | Pluto-1st Ray—Destructive aspect.
Hierarchical           Mars—6th Ray—Devotion. War to the death of the personality or form
(EA 187)
 
Our quality names related to the planets governing Sagittarius
These planetary influences are distinctive of the Sons of Mind, of Venusian origin; they are characteristic of the Lords of Sacrifice and Will functioning in time and space as the fourth Creative Hierarchy. The form life is ruled by the Moon, veiling a hidden planet; these Sons of Mind live on the Earth and thus within the body of the planetary Logos, and are of a definitely intelligent nature, making them Lords of Knowledge, achieving their goal through the light of the mind and through the method of conflict, for they are also Lords of Ceaseless and Persevering Devotion. All the above names which are related to the planets governing Sagittarius will be remembered by students of The Secret Doctrine. They are the "quality names" of the Divine Manasaputras, the Agnishvattas who are ourselves (EA 188).
 
The decanates of Sagittarius
As regards the three decanates of Sagittarius, Sepharial gives us the three governing planets as Mercury, the Moon and the Sun, whilst Alan Leo gives us Jupiter, Mars and the Sun, emphasising as he always does the way of the esotericists. He usually tunes in on the esoteric significances but not always. Jupiter gives expansion, superseding Mercury, for the mercurial mind is ever a limitation even if only a temporary one. The Moon gives place to Mars, which confers the quality of devotion and the capacity to fight for an ideal. This idealistic concept and method of work is always the characteristic of discipleship during the early stages of unfoldment upon the Path. The Sun, typifying the solar Angel remains constant both through the exoteric and the esoteric processes and therefore astrology recognises it as a constant pressure and presence. This fact in itself indicates a significant truth. The soul remains eternally present—in the past, in the present and on into the future (EA 192).
 
Relation Scorpio-Aquarius-Cancer; Moon veils Vulcan, Uranus and Neptune
Scorpio and Aquarius are also in a peculiar relation to each other through the planet Mercury which governs the human family (being the hierarchical planet in Scorpio), and through Neptune
which rules Cancer, thus governing expression upon the physical plane. In this connection the Moon is given as the orthodox ruler and the hierarchical rule of Aquarius. I would here remind you that the Moon is usually regarded as "veiling" or "hiding" some planet and of these there are three which the Moon may be veiling. Here the intuition of the astrologer and of the esoteric student must be called out. These planets are Vulcan, Neptune or Uranus (EA 218-219).
 
Planets ruling and conditioning Scorpio subject
Planet                    Sign                        Ray                         School
1. Venus                 Taurus                   5th                          Orthodox
2. Vulcan                Taurus                   1st                           Hierarchical. Esoteric
3. The Sun             Leo                         2nd                         All three
4. Mars                   Scorpio                  6th                          Orthodox and Esoteric
 
5. Mercury             Scorpio                  4th                          Hierarchical
6. Uranus               Aquarius               7th                          Orthodox
7. Jupiter                Aquarius               2nd                         Esoteric
8. The Moon         Aquarius               4th                          Hierarchical
(EA 221).
 
Moon in Scorpio
The place of the planets in this sign is also most revealing, and in line also with the general purpose of the experience in Scorpio, as outlined above. Uranus is exalted in Scorpio; the power of Venus is lessened in this sign, whilst the Moon falls. What do these facts symbolically portray? Let me see if I can make the beauty of these implications clear to you (EA 224).
The Moon is here regarded as functioning in its true nature and, therefore, as expressing symbolically that which is dead. The Moon here stands for the personality and, in the final victory in Scorpio, the personality is entirely vanquished and defeated. Desire is killed, for it is through expressed desire of some kind that personality demonstrates life, quality, appearance. Ponder upon this, for in Scorpio the Moon falls and its influence fades out (EA 225).
 
Decanates of Scorpio
The three decanates and their rulers are given very differently by various astrologers. One group posits Mars, the Sun and Venus as ruling the decanates of Scorpio whilst another regards Mars, Jupiter and the Moon as the three rulers. Perhaps the truth lies in both conclusions, if we view them from the esoteric standpoint or from that of the undeveloped man. This will be an interesting point for astrologers to investigate and study. Some day they will arrive at a clear decision as to the position of the five planets suggested as ruling the decanates (they agree on one); I cannot indicate to you the essential truth because a new planet is arising in this sign and it is for man to discover and rightly place it within the circumference of the Great Wheel (EA 226).
 
Discussion on the rulers of Virgo
The Moon (Vulcan).—This is the esoteric ruler. The significance of this is similar to that of the orthodox ruler. The Moon (or fourth ray energy) is here seen as an expression of first ray energy, manifesting through Vulcan. The Moon rules the form and it is the will of God to manifest through the medium of form.
        Jupiter.—This is the hierarchical ruler and rules the second Creative Hierarchy, that of the Divine Builders of our planetary manifestation. (See the tabulation re the Hierarchies.) This is the seventh Creative Hierarchy as well as the second, if the five unmanifesting Hierarchies are counted; in the significance of two and seven much of the mystery underlying these Hierarchies will be revealed.
        Through these three planetary rulers the energies of the fourth ray pour, governing the mind through Mercury and the physical form through the Moon; the energies of the first ray, expressive of the will of God, begin their control of the self-conscious man (unfolded in Leo) and the energies of the second ray, embodying the love of God, pour through into manifestation. Will, love and harmony through conflict—such are the controlling forces which make man what he is and such are the governing and directing energies which use the mind (Mercury), the emotional [Page 264] nature, love (in Jupiter) and the physical body (the Moon, or esoteric will) for purposes of divine expression and manifestation (EA 263-263).
 
Influences upon Virgo: relation to Taurus, to the 3rd unmanifested Hierarchy
Virgo is related to Taurus through Vulcan which brings in what might be called the endurance aspect of the will-to-be which carries the incarnated Son of God through the experiences of the dark time wherein the personality becomes the Mother in the stage of gestation, through the period of infancy upon the physical plane and through the stage of adolescence until the initiate attains full maturity. This necessitates persistence, endurance and continuity of effort and is one of the characteristics imparted or stimulated by energies pouring from Vulcan. You can realise that these are first ray attributes and are the reverse side of those usually emphasised, namely, death or the activity of the Destroyer aspect. Taurus is an expression of the third unmanifested Hierarchy and of this Hierarchy we know nothing beyond the fact that it is concerned with the light which liberates from death. Therefore, you have:
Taurus—Illumination.
Vulcan—First ray or endurance.
Third Creative Hierarchy—Liberating Light.
Virgo—The Christ-life, latent and unexpressed (as is the 3rd Creative Hierarchy).
The Moon—The form nature, the substance of the flame which lights the way.
        A vast field of psychological research in connection with all the constellations, the planets and Hierarchies is indicated above, but it is of too vast a nature for me to consider in this treatise (EA 274).
       
Through Jupiter and the Moon, Virgo is related to Aquarius and the 7th creative Hierarchy
Through the Moon and also through Jupiter, Virgo is brought into relationship with Aquarius which means, in this case, with the seventh Creative Hierarchy, or with the atomic substance out of which the dense body of manifestation has to be constructed if the Christ life (which the Virgin nurtures) is to be brought to successful manifestation. The cause of manifestation is, esoterically speaking, the stimulation of the "dead lives" (the so-called inorganic substance) into activity and into usefulness to the positive Christ life, which is the agent of the stimulation. Hence the Moon is the symbol of the response of the dead lives to the outer spiritual impact. The central idea of occultism that even the smallest atom of substance has in it the germ of that which can respond to spiritual energy is preserved for us in the teaching anent the influence of Jupiter, the second ray agent of the Christ spirit (EA 277).
 
Virgo is identified with the 3rd principle developed in the first solar system: now it is ruled by 2nd. 4th and 6th ray planets
As I have told you, Virgo is regarded by the esoteric teachers of the Hierarchy to be identified with the third aspect of divinity, with the mother principle and is believed to be the director of the energies, developed and recognised in the first solar system. It is for this reason in this solar system that Virgo is subjected predominantly to the influence of the second, fourth and sixth ray energies through Jupiter (second ray) the Moon and Mercury (fourth ray) and Neptune (sixth ray). The Moon and Mercury together indicate the activity of the higher and lower mind and are, therefore, related to the third Ray of Active Intelligence which controlled the first solar system. There is consequently only one planet, Vulcan, which is distinctly and purely first ray energy. These are points which advanced astrologers will later elaborate but which at the present time mean little (EA 280).
 
Emergence of the triangle Sun-Moon-Neptune in the advanced Leo subject forcing the Door to the Holy Place
Neptune
, being the sign of the Deity of the waters, is related to the sixth ray which governs the astral or emotional plane of desire. When Neptune is thus active in the advanced Leo subject, then emotion-desire have been transmuted into love-aspiration and are dedicated to and oriented to the soul; the entire emotional or sensitive nature is responsive to energies coming from "the heart of the Sun," and when this is the case, it indicates that the disciple is now ready for the second initiation. This orientation is brought about by what is called "the sublimination of the influence of the Moon" which is, as you know, the mother, symbolically speaking, of the form nature and reflects the Sun, or the Father aspect. The above statement is exceedingly occult in its significance. Esoterically speaking, you have the emergence of an interesting triangle of force which affects the Leo subject—the Sun, the Moon and Neptune; these are an expression of Rays 2.4.6 and, where these three are dominantly active, you have the establishing of that "inner alignment and attitude which forces open the Door into the Holy Place." I use these old phrases here because they express concisely what it would take many pages to elucidate and because they have that note of esoteric stimulation which awakens, in the disciple, the power of abstract thought (EA 297-298).
 
The sign of a Leo subject to take initiation is when the Sun, the Moon and Saturn are combined in certain house
In connection with the horoscope of the Leo subject and the theme of initiation, I would point out that when the Sun, the Moon (hiding a planet) and Saturn are all combined in a certain house in the horoscope you have what is called the "sign" of the man who is to take initiation.
 
Full moon of August will be dedicated to make contact, through the Hierarchy, with Sirius
Leo, in the cosmic sense (and apart from our solar system altogether) is ruled by Sirius. Sirius is the home of that greater Lodge to which our fifth initiation admits a man and to which it brings him, as a humble disciple. Later, when the new world religion is founded and is working, we shall find that the major, monthly festival in August, held at the time of the full moon, will be dedicated to the task of making contact, via the Hierarchy, with Sirian force (EA 299).
 
The influence of Sirius upon the initiate: he rules the Sun and the Moon
The influence of Sirius is not consciously felt until after the third initiation when the true nature of the spirit aspect begins to dawn upon the liberated, intuitive perception of the initiate. For the advanced initiate in this sign, and after the third initiation, Sirius becomes a major life factor. He begins to respond to its vibration because he now rules the Sun and the Moon and is controlling those two planets, for that is what the Sun and the Moon have become to him—simply planets to be ruled. This is a great mystery and I simply state the fact. Sirius, Leo, the Sun, the Moon and Mercury are now the influences with which the initiate is concerned. The influences of Sirius, three in number, are focussed in Regulus, which is, as you know, a star of the first magnitude and which is frequently called "the heart of the Lion." There is more real occultism hidden in the names given to the various stars by astronomers down the ages than has yet been realised, and here you have a case in point (EA 300).
 
The triangle Sun-Jupiter-Venus denuded the moon ofall the ‘seeds of life’
The Sun (second ray), Jupiter (second ray) and Venus (fifth ray). It will be apparent to you that we here have another sphere of influence of major importance, governed by Leo. It is a triangle to which H.P.B. refers in The Secret Doctrine, the influence of which she was endeavouring to elucidate. So potent was the influence of this triangle that its effect upon the Moon was to denude her of life by drawing out all the "seeds of life," thus destroying her influence, for it was undesirable where humanity was concerned (EA 301).
 
The rulers of Cancer: Moon and Neptune: their relation; the triangle Cancer-Virgo-Aquarius through the Moon
We come now to a consideration of the rulers of this sign and to a study of the planets which act as focal points and as distributing agents for certain cosmic energies. Much has been earlier indicated along this line, and a true understanding of the nature of these impacting energies can only be grasped as we continue with our studies and investigate these signs in the relation which they assume as we study them in connection with other signs, claiming the same planetary rulers. There is one point which I would like to make clear and that is that in the two rulers of this sign—the Moon and Neptune— you have the symbols of a close relationship between the Mother of all Forms and the God of the Waters, that is between the two planets. In this esoteric marriage, you have pictured for humanity a major synthesis of form and of desire-sensitivity and, consequently, a true statement of the stage of consciousness which we call Atlantean. There is much of this today and of this stage, mass sensitivity and mass identification with form and with forms is the significant indication and the outstanding characteristic of Cancer and its subjects. The Moon, however, relates Cancer to two other signs and these form a cosmic triangle. They are Cancer-Virgo-Aquarius. In this combination, you have the sign of mass-consciousness, the sign of the Christ-consciousness and the sign of universal consciousness very closely related to each other and all of them through the medium of the influence of Neptune, which the Moon veils.
        Like Leo, which is ruled in all its three expressions (orthodox, esoteric and hierarchical) by the Sun, Cancer is the only other sign which is ruled by only one planet, though in orthodox astrology, the Moon is substituted for Neptune because it is the form nature which is dominant in the longest stage of human unfoldment, just as esoterically, it is the feeling-sensitive nature which dominates the average man; it is with this stable tendency that the disciple has to wrestle.  In the mass mind (of which Cancer is the truest expression), it is fortunate that Neptune
is veiled by the Moon and that the form fails to register or step down many of the impacts to which the true man is sensitive. Average humanity is not yet fully equipped to bear the full range of these impacts, to handle them constructively or to transmute them and interpret them accurately …
        It is also as difficult and hard for the average student of modern times to grasp the mass-consciousness of Cancer as it is for him to grasp the group-awareness or the universal consciousness of Aquarius and to this final development, humanity is hierarchically related by the Moon, veiling Neptune
. The average human being is just beginning to grasp the stage of the individual Christ consciousness of Virgo to which he is related by the same planet.
        The unveiled Neptune
relates Cancer to no other constellation or sign, and this fact is of very great importance, because it indicates the fact that when a man is an initiate, he does not react to ordinary feeling, sentiment or to personality relations as they express themselves in pleasure or pain. All these are surmounted and eventually the watery life of emotional reaction is superseded by the life of true and of inclusive love. Soul control esoterically "obliterates" the Moon and all traces of Neptunian life. The initiate is no longer ruled by the Mother of Forms or by the God of [Page 323] the Waters. When the "waters break and are carried away," the Mother gives birth to the Son and that individual spiritual entity then stands free. I would ask you to ponder upon this point.
        These two—the Moon and Neptune—are, therefore, the direct influences which are brought to bear upon the Cancer subject and thus lead to the unfoldment of the form of life and of the emotional-astral body. The supreme usefulness of these aspects will be grasped if you will intelligently realise that without the form and without the ability to bear in mind the need to respond sensitively to the environing conditions and circumstance, the soul would never awaken to knowledge in the three worlds and, therefore, would never know God in manifestation (EA 321-323).
 
Moon and Neptune
ruling Cancer: continued
It will now be clear to you why the Moon and Neptune
, transmitting the energies of the psychic nature and of form, plus the tendency to achieve through the medium of conflict, rule Cancer so potently, both directly and indirectly. They control the form and the lower psychic nature and produce the battle ground (later to be transmuted into the burning ground) whereon these two "face in the final conflict" their higher correspondence, the soul and spirit, for matter is spirit at its lowest point and spirit is matter at its highest. In these words you have the true clue to the Cancer-Capricorn relationship (EA 340).
 
Saturn ends the conflicts created by the Moon and Mercury in Cancer
The power of Saturn in this sign furthers the ends and purposes of the governing energies or rays of harmony through conflicts (the Moon and Mercury) and of Neptune
, for in this sign Saturn is in the home of its detriment and thus produces those difficult conditions and situations which will lead to the needed struggle (EA 342).
 
Decanates of Cancer
Curiously it is Sepharial who places the rulers of the decanates more accurately than does Leo. Usually this is reversed and Leo is the more correct of the two astrologers. Sepharial gives us Venus, Mercury and the Moon whereas Leo apportions the Moon, Mars and Jupiter to these decanates. The mind, the uses of conflict and form life are the contributing factors, leading the soul along the way of incarnation. The instrument of release is, in the last analysis, the right use and control of the organ of illumination which is the mind. Hence the necessary emphasis ever laid upon meditation when the aspirant awakens to spiritual opportunity. The strength which comes through conflict and constant struggle builds up steadily that reserve of strength and power which enables the aspirant to take the final tests of discipleship in Scorpio and to brave in Capricorn the trials of initiation and the breaking of all the bonds which the processes of incarnation have forged (EA 342-343).
 
Influence of the Moon in far-off times
In that far-off time when the greater round of the zodiac was started in Gemini, as now it is in Pisces, there was a relation between the waxing and the waning moon, due to the pulsating power of Gemini. This is now greatly lessened, owing to the removal of the responsive life from the Moon, but the rhythm then set up still remains, producing the same basic illusion. I am talking here in terms of ancient facts and not in terms of reflection, as is now the case. I refer to realities and not to shadows (EA 352).
 
Conflict with the Moon and Mercury: two sorts of conflicts: under the direction of the form and under the direction of the soul
The indirect influence of the Moon as it symbolically embodies the fourth Ray of Harmony through Conflict provides Mercury with the dual tendency to struggle, which is characteristic of this sign, and also the dual tendency to harmony which is the inevitable result of all spiritual conflict. In connection with the duality of conflict, you should bear in mind that there is a conflict of the evolutionary process, leading finally to the conflict upon the Path. These are the two aspects of struggle: unconscious and under the direction of the form; and conscious, or under the direction of the soul (EA 364-365).
 
The Taurus subject is influenced by all the rays, except the 3rd, provided by the Earth
Through the three other arms of the Fixed Cross and their three streams of divine energy, the force of love can he brought indirectly to bear upon the man born in Taurus. The rulers of two of these signs, Leo and Scorpio, include the Sun (second ray), Mars (sixth ray) and Mercury (fourth ray). The Sun and Mars are esoteric rulers of Leo and Scorpio and Mercury is the hierarchical ruler of Scorpio. Uranus is the orthodox and Jupiter the esoteric ruler of Aquarius. The Moon is also present but again veils Vulcan, whose influence we have already considered. The only ray influence lacking is that of the third ray and basically that is present also as it is the ray of Earth (EA 395).
 
The Moon is exalted in Taurus; discussion on the meaning of exaltation and detriment. Relation of the Moon with Cassiopea, Coma Berenice, Andromeda and one or two others, as well as Virgo
It is the recognition of these goals and a grasp of the Taurian problems which will make clear to you the position of the planets in this sign. I would remind you again that the exaltation of a planet in any particular sign, its fall within the sphere of influence of a sign as well as the lessening of a particular planetary influence in any sign cycle (making it what has been technically called "in detriment") is purely symbolic of the effects of energy as it impinges upon the form-nature, meeting resistance or non-resistance, evoking response or non-response, according to the calibre of the planetary instrument subjected to the impact. In this sign, the Moon is exalted. Symbolically this means that the form side of life is a powerfully controlling factor and one with which the man must ever reckon. The Moon is the Mother of the form and in this case veils or hides Vulcan—which might be expected. The Moon, therefore, stands here for the fashioner or moulder of the form, bringing in both the feminine and masculine aspects of form-building, the dual functions of Father-Mother. This is a point for astrologers to remember. This process of interplay brings about two phases of the needed fashioning:
        1. A process wherein is created a form of great potency in which self-interest and personality aims and desires are the motives bringing about activity. The Moon and Taurus activity.
        2. The processes, self-applied by the awakening Taurian, wherein the form nature is fashioned anew and motivated in a different manner and so is "raised up into Heaven" and thus irradiated and glorified. The Vulcan and Taurus activity.
        The exaltation of the form, ruled by the Moon, can be traced throughout the entire zodiac and provides in itself an interesting and progressive story with which I have not at this time the intention to deal. It is told by the various women who figure in the different constellations and around them some day the astrology of the form will be built. There is Cassiopea, Venus, Coma Berenice, Andromeda and one or two others, as well as Virgo, the Virgin, the most important of them all. I can only indicate here a field of thought and of astrological investigation hitherto untouched but I have not time for the interpretation of this vast and profitable field of knowledge. "Our Lady, the Moon" is related to all these and before the great disruption in an earlier solar system which led to the Moon becoming a dead planet, the energies of these stars and certain of the planets which were produced through their activity, were all focussed in and transmitted by the Moon in a most mysterious yet powerful manner. Through desire translated into terms of spiritual will, the form is esoterically "exalted" and of this fact the exaltation of the Moon in Taurus is a symbol. To this the ordinary astrological symbol of the Bull's horns testifies. This is the crescent Moon and also the symbol of the destructive nature of the form life of the Bull. Forget not that in this connection the destruction or death of the form and the ending of form influence thereby is the goal of the process which changes desire into aspiration (EA 399-400).
 
Significance of falling Uranus and exalted Moon in Taurus
Uranus, the planet of the hidden mystery and one of the most occult of the planets "falls" in this sign, producing the accentuation and the sharp division between body and soul which is so marked a characteristic of the Taurian subject. It prepares the inner man for the sharp interplay and conflict in the next sign, Gemini. The presence, therefore, of the exalted Moon and the fallen Uranus gives a marvellous picture of man's history during the stage of personality development and power. The task of Uranus, hidden in the depths, is to awaken and evoke the intuitive response of Taurus to an ever-increasing light until such time that full illumination is achieved and also the development of the spiritual consciousness—substituting these higher soul aspects for the lower form reactions (EA 400-401).
 
Decanates of Taurus
This is curiously emphasised by the rulers of the decanates in this sign. Both the astrologers, Leo and Sepharial, practically and to all intents and purposes, agree in their assignment of planets to govern the triple aspects of the sign. They only vary exoterically on one point for Sepharial gives the Moon as governing the second decan whilst Leo gives Venus as ruling the first decan. However, Venus and the Moon are often used interchangeably and both express or emanate the same basic energy of active intelligence in its higher and lower aspects. One expresses intelligent love and the other the intelligence of matter; this dual emphasis is concerned with the dominance of the form nature in the Taurian subject and his release through the Venusian Son of Mind. The Moon or Venus, Mercury and Saturn control the decanates and our consideration of these planets in the other signs will have indicated to you their right interpretation, both here and elsewhere. Form life, intelligent activity, and intense struggle summarises the Taurian problem, whilst Mercury, the Messenger of the Gods, reminds the struggling man that he must become ever what he essentially is, thus escaping from illusion and entering into light (EA 402).
 
The moon is disintegrating
Another factor little known is that the Moon today is disintegrating with increasing rapidity and this necessarily affects the Earth and produces terrestrial results (EA 410).
 
The Moon veils Uranus: through Uranus, the Moon was evacuated; the effect of Uranus in populations now
The energy of Uranus, pouring upon and into humanity, produces the urge to better conditions to provide better forms for the occult and esoteric life and to blend more adequately the inner and the outer man. This is one of the reasons why the Moon is spoken of so often as veiling Uranus. The Moon is frequently used as a blind when Uranus is meant. Today the Moon is a dead world and the reason is that the Uranian urge became so strong in that far distant time when there were living forms upon the Moon that it led to the complete and final evacuation of the Moon and the transfer of its life to our planet. Such a transfer is not necessary today as the consciousness of humanity is such that the needed changes can be brought about without such a drastic procedure. It is, however, this Uranian influence which lies behind the present shift of populations throughout Europe and Great Britain and which is responsible for the steady movement of peoples from East to West, from Asia to Europe in the earlier history of that continent and from Europe to the Western hemisphere in more modern times (EA 446).
 
Four constellations concerned with the expression of consciousness
Leo                                         Virgo                                      Aquarius                               Pisces
Self-consciousness             Christ conscious ness         Group conscious ness        Universal conscious ness
        They are basically concerned with the expression of consciousness on the outer external planes of expression or with the fusion of soul and form in order to demonstrate fully a state of awareness. These facts will become apparent if the four esoteric planets connected with these four constellations are considered and related:
The Sun                 The Moon              Jupiter                   Pluto
The Soul                The Form               Beneficent Life     Death
(EA 468).
 
The moon, with Cancer, rules the 4th house
Again, the Moon is the ruler of Cancer and is related to the fourth ray, and rules the fourth house. Here you have the idea of form being the custodian of a living spiritual essence, of the home, whether the home is the fourth or lowest aspect of the personality or the fourth kingdom in nature, but all ruled by the fourth Ray of Harmony through Conflict—a harmony to be wrought out within the form on Earth (EA 508).
 
The Sun and the Moon will not ‘veil’ other planets anymore in the future
It is only in the present cycle that the Sun and Moon "veil" certain planets and are the exoteric symbols for certain esoteric forces. As evolution proceeds, the planets will not be veiled. Their influences will not be so remote. At present the mechanism of the majority of the human family is not tuned to the reception of the rays from Vulcan, Uranus or Neptune whilst Pluto at present only evokes response from groups or from those disciples who are enough evolved rightly to respond. The three veiled planets—Vulcan, Uranus and Neptune are all sacred planets, embodying first, seventh and sixth ray energies. Vulcan is never an exoteric ruler and only comes into real activity when a man is on the Path, whilst Uranus and Neptune are rulers of the eleventh and twelfth houses, and govern Aquarius and Pisces. The implications will be clear to you (EA 509).
 
The choice of the planets veiled by the Sun and the Moon depends upon the evolution of the subject
If he will study the "fluid area" where the planets, veiled by the Sun and Moon, come into play and will realise that he must decide (from a study of the chart of the subject and any knowledge he may have) what is the point in evolution reached and which of the three veiled planets is the ruler, he will get much intuitive understanding. He will find himself able to throw much light upon the problem of the probationary disciple when considering the exoteric rulers and upon the problems of disciples when dealing with the esoteric rulers (EA 510).
 
Line of distribution of Ray II
In the understanding of the significance of the distinction between constellations as galaxies of stars, and signs as concentrated influences will come fresh light upon the science of astrology. This is fundamentally connected with the difference between the relation of a ray energy to the triangle of constellations and the human relation. More I may not say but this will give a hint to the intuitive astrologer.
 
                                                |Gemini,
                                                |Virgo      working through the medium of the five
RAY II.   Love-Wisdom.      |                               planets: Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, the
                                                |                                               Moon, Pluto.
                                                |Pisces (EA 821-622).
 
The peculiar function of the Moon in Virgo: death of the relation between the Mother and the Child
VIRGO is the constellation which is symbolic of the second stage of the relation between the pair of opposites. Here we have, as you know, the Mother of the Christ Child and the fostering process of interchange which brings about life, love and their united manifestation in one form. This second ray is, therefore, closely related to Virgo and its lowest aspect is mother love with its instinctual care of that which must be nourished and guarded. Its highest aspect is the incarnated, manifested Christ. Then instinct is transmuted into wisdom and with that the will-to-manifest and bring into the light of day the hitherto Hidden Christ. This sign and this second ray Will have a mysterious relation to Time, to process and to the sustaining life of the Mother (matter) which, throughout the gestation period, nourishes and cares for the rapidly developing Christ Child. The Moon has also a peculiar function which can only be expressed in the idea of death—the death of the relationships between the Mother and the Child because the moment comes when the Christ Child will emerge from the womb of time and of matter and stand free in the light. This will have been due, necessarily, to many inherent factors but primarily to the sustaining will of the Mother, plus the dynamic will of the Christ Child. Here again is an aspect of the curious and mysterious relation between the first and the second rays (EA 627).
 
Line of distribution of Ray 3
                                |Cancer,
                                |Libra      working through five planets:
RAY III. Active    |                               The Moon, Venus, Saturn,
        Intelligence.  |                               Neptune, Uranus.
                                |Capricorn (EA 628).
 
Quotes about the Moon in the Secret Doctrine
"The seven Sons of Light—called after their planets and often even identified with them—namely, Saturn, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, Venus and presumably the Sun and the Moon." (S.D. I. 628.) (EA 642).
 
"The seven Gods were divided into two triads and the sun.
a. Lower Triad—Mars, Mercury and Venus.
b. Higher Triad—Moon, Jupiter and Saturn.
(the Moon standing for a hidden planet.) (S.D. II. 484, 5.) (EA 643).
 
"Mercury and Venus, the Sun and the Moon constitute the `Guardian angels of the four corners of the Earth'."
NOTE:
a. (The sun and moon veil hidden planets).
b. These are the four Maharajahs, connected with karma, humanity, cosmos and man.
c. They are the Sun or its substitute—Michael.
They are the Moon or its substitute—Gabriel.
They are Mercury or its substitute—Raphael.
They are Venus or its substitute—Uriel. (S.D. III. 459.) (EA 645-646).
 
"Saturn—governs the devotional faculties.
Mercury—governs the intellectual faculties.
Jupiter—governs the sympathetic faculties.
The Sun—governs the governing faculties.
Mars—governs the selfish faculties.
Venus—governs the tenacious faculties.
Moon—governs the instinctual faculties." (S.D. III. 463.) (EA 646).
 
The Rays and the Planets — (According to Besant)
        Ray                                 Method                                  Planet                                    Colour
V. Lower mind                       Practical Science                  The Moon                             Violet
(EA 648).
 
Planet                    Human Principle                 Colour                   Weekday
1. Mars                   Kama-rupa                             Red                         Tuesday
2. The Sun             Prana. Life                             Orange
                   Sunday
3. Mercury             Buddhi                                   Yellow                    Wednesday
4. Saturn                                Kama-Manas                        Green                      Saturday
5. Jupiter                Auric envelope                     Blue                        Thursday
6. Venus                 Manas. Higher mind            Indigo                    Friday
7. The Moon         Linga Sharira                         Violet                      Monday
(S.D.III. 455 diagram II) (EA 649)
 
(EA 649)
 
The Kingdoms of Nature and the Planets. In this cycle:
1. The mineral kingdom—Pluto and Vulcan
2. The vegetable kingdom—Venus and Jupiter
3. The animal kingdom—The Moon and Mars
4. The human kingdom—Mercury and Saturn
5. The kingdom of souls—Neptune and Uranus
6. Synthesising these five—The Sun (EA 650).
 
THE MOON (veiling a planet)          
References in The Secret Doctrine
1. "The moon is now the cold residual quantity, the shadow dragged after the new body, into which her living powers are transfused. She now is doomed for long ages to be ever pursuing the Earth, to be attracted by and to attract her progeny. Constantly vampirized by her child, she revenges herself on it, by soaking it through and through with the nefarious, invisible and poisonous influence which emanates from the occult side of her nature. For she is a dead, yet a living body. The particles of her decaying corpse are full of active and destructive life, although the body which they had formed, is soulless and lifeless." (S.D.I. 180.) (EA 664).
 
2. "The Earth is a satellite of the Moon." (S.D.I. 212.)
(i.e., as the soul is today the satellite of form.) (EA 665).
 
3. "The Moon is the symbol of evil." (S.D.I. 246.) (EA 665).
 
4. "The moon is not a sacred planet." (S.D.II. 36.) (EA 665).
 
5. "The moon is the king of the planets." (S.D.II. 401. Note.) (EA 665).
 
6. "The moon is the sovereign of the vegetable world." (S.D.II. 520.) (EA 665).
 
7. "The moon is an inferior body." (S.D.II. 48.) (EA 665).
 
8. "The moon is the mind and the sun is the understanding." (S.D.II. 675. Note.) (Quoting Shankaracharya.) (EA 665).
 
9. "The moon is a dead planet from which all the principles are gone. It is a substitute for a planet which seems to have disappeared from view." (S.D.III. 459.) (EA 665).
 
"The sun, the moon and Mercury were the earliest trinity of the Egyptians (Osiris, Isis and Hermes)." (S.D. II. 640.) (EA 670).
 
References in a Treatise on Cosmic Fire
10. "The moon is dead and cannot support life because humanity and the building devas have been removed from its sphere of influence." (TCF 93.) (EA 665).
 
11. "The moon is in process of disappearance and only a decaying body is left. The life of the second Logos and the first Logos have been withdrawn and only the latent life of matter itself remains." (TCF 415.) (EA 665).
 
12. "The moon was:
a. The place of systemic failure.
b. Connected with the lower principles.
c. The source of the sexual misery experienced on our planet.
d. Arrested in its evolution by the timely interference of the solar Logos.
e. The origin of the feud between the forces of light and of darkness ... can be traced back to the moon." (TCF 985. Note.) (EA 665).
 
The school on the Moon
The Schools on Saturn, the Sun, the Moon and on Pluto are not given…